Photojournalist unexpectedly documents domestic violence

Yeah that female photographer should have chucked some lenses at him. He seems like a perfectly reasonable guy... She knew that the cops were being called.
Taking pictures probably helped as much as anything else she could've done to limit the violence. The dude had enough self awareness to get shirtless for the camera whenever possible, it probably kept them all safer than if she had jumped in. That is extremely dangerous territory, and if the guy's friend wasn't jumping in, that is a good cue. I think the entire sequence could be helpful for women to help recognize the menacing behavior that becomes more and more prevalent in the series. I think it would have been exploitative if she had brought a full light kit, and kept making them redo shots until it was just right. I think that photographer is incredibly brave, and she is doing something very daring and evokative, but not exploitative.

Really??? The goal of a photographer should not surpass the obligation to protecting or taking care of one's fellow man. Put the camera down and call 911, stupid.

I see the value of this type of documentary simply to bring to light what type of stuff goes on out there, but what you're seeing here isn't any different than what is going on with probably half a billion people (literally) across the globe as I type this. There is nothing "unique" about this situation - it's actually more tame than many others.

My Sister is involved in a marriage that involves a certain level of abuse, as she was FOUR times before. It is not usually the woman's fault when she is abused, but it is her fault when she stays with the person who is the abuser, and, continues to have children with that person. We can go into all of the psychological babble about why some do this, but it boils down to this - if you're with someone who's brain doesn't function correctly due to how much ink they've had injected into their bodies - leave.

Will it help others? Maybe. Will it help this victim? Doubtful, or she would have helped herself by now.

He's eating up the camera folks! Totally getting into the performance.

This whole sequence is very disturbing. My response? Put down my camera and get a big stick. I can't justify the hand's off approach. Coming to someone's rescue implies risk to one's self, so the argument that you would only be endangering yourself or others is very weak. I personally feel that the camera was part of the cause in this situation. I feel that he's performing for the camera.

There is one aspect where it might be important to document events for later needs like a trial. But that doesn't excuse not trying to help.

And there are times when there's a larger crowd and a photographer is just one more body out of many, so I get that one. But not this one.

Oh - and do we need to document this thing? We're all already aware of and disgusted by it. This is nothing more than voyeurism to me.

Based on the most of the comments it is clear that most of you do not understand domestic violence. this is particularly true of those that said they would have stopped this incident. it is called a cycle of violence for a reason. yeah sure, you could have stopped it that night and that would have changed the world. this coupled would continue to face the same life stressors (job, kids, bills), responded in the same ways that they see people in their world respond and eventually ended up in the same drunken situation in a short period. My wife works nights and weekends in an ER in an undeserved community. most people on this site would be shocked by what others do not know or think is acceptable.

This to me is real journalism (which is different from studio work). i applaud this photographer for showing us what the world outside of our cozy existence looks like.

So many comments here, some controversial, one or two even disturbing.
One thing needs to be clear though: As a man, you do not hit a woman. Just don't. I had arguments with my wife too in the past, kids were small, money was tight but I never laid a finger on her, neither did she throw stuff at me or whatever some nutjobs do. Real men do not hit women. Hitting a woman is a weakness, not a strength. Just don't hit a woman, even if she hits you (unless of course you need to defend yourself). Lewkowicz's images make me sad, I feel sorry for the kids but also for that woman but I just don't get this guy at all. So many mean looking tatoos, such a "tough" guy and he...hits a woman, also in front of their kids? Oh boy.

I think reading the comments on this story has cured me of ever reading below the 'Comments' line again. It is really sad. "It's staged", "she made bad choices", "just run on the TV to see this", "poor technical quality" - I feel shocked.

(Kudos to the many posters countering the points above, you are much more eloquent than I.)

What lense was used for this?

the images are real and touching.

I'd rather question whether or not these snapshots rise to the level of what we call photojournalism?

Living in our tabloid "Oprah Land", we see shots like this every day.

I wonder if she used a flash or not? I can imagine that a flash would have distracted the couple from their argument and could possibly have caused the anger to be re-directed toward the photographer.

These pictures remind me of my own parents, before they separated when I was a kid.

While I can perhaps understand not intervening between the parents, who are adults and responsible for themselves, I am not so sure I can understand photographing the naked and scared child rather than removing her from the scene.

Many, many photographers never intervene when any "normal" person would think that they should. Photographers who do not intervene or act think they have a higher calling to "bear witness" and spread the truth; which is B.S. I've seen it for myself at car accidents, a drowning, and at other situations where any person would feel morally and ethically compelled to do something. Instead the "photographer" just takes pictures instead of helping.

Owning a camera does not obviate the responsibility to do the right thing at the right time. Photographers are not exempt or special, although, in many cases, they think they are. A disgrace; really.

You give us those nice bright colors
You give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, oh yeah!

Can't be easy taking Pictures like these, I Guess documenting this type of behaviour is a weapon in itself. Not sure how i would have responded though. I think lewkowicz has done a good job.

The selected photos above are a poor representation of Sara Lewkowicz's photo essay, which is actually pretty good.

Kudos to Sara for her bravery in sticking around. That event was what we call in tornado alley a PDS (particularly dangerous situation), and she, likely no match for the US male prison physique and temperament, made the right choice not to intervene or involve herself more than she already has (at her own risk) with this body of work.

The work itself will go a lot farther toward preventing domestic abuse than if she had physically put herself in the middle of it.

For a bunch of so-called photographers, you people are too easily distracted from the purpose and power of the photographic image.

I don't care what your job is, whether you're a photojournalist, a truck driver or a housewife. If someone is being harmed by another and you're in a position to do something about it, you do something about it. I'm not saying that she should have physically intervened, but she could at least have called the police. She could have acted as a moral human being instead of some artiste jerk with a camera whose only interest was fetishizing an act of criminal violence. She crossed a line and betrayed her basic humanity.

Ms. Lewkowicz, thanks for getting this important and tragic topic out there.

Something is pretty clear to me that hasn't been mentioned yet. The photographer clearly knew what they were getting into. They should have been more prepared. Perhaps with pepper spray, a taser, knowledge of self defense, or some sort of protection. Not to mention video being a much better form of documentation for legal purposes.

Putting a camera on someone who obviously wants more attention, and is not worthy of it, only fuels the fire.

photos are not so good too

So nobody asks about the camera, aperture, shutter speed, HDR and things when it comes to RealityDP, eh?!
just kidding...

"In addition, she has been told by law enforcement officers that physically intervening, 'would have likely only made the situation worse, endangering me, and further endangering [the victim]'.

She might have taken the little girl away from the scene. Or would that have endangered someone in some way? Honestly I have very little respect for such photographers. Hope she enjoys her little "Sunshine" of attention.

I shudder to think what negative effect this will have on the little one. Why people have kids when they can't provide a proper home environment for them?

People comment from such an egocentric view these days, sure opinions and all. Some say the woman knows how to manipulate the man, others say the man was clearly a prior convict with anger issues.

How many people even looked at the full portfolio before commenting such certain speculations? Personally, it looked like they were one of those couples who had their happy moments, but ultimately couldn't stick it out because of instability.

But that's just my opinion- who's to know where the instability comes from, if it's one sided or a mutual instability. And regarding this instance specifically from the article, who knows went down at the bar, who said what and etc.?

To judge either of these people without recognizing that your thoughts are speculations and nothing more is to welcome such judgments on yourself, which I'm sure no one wants. The Internet has attracted so many bystander critics on everything.

As a retired police officer, 'domestics' were the most worrying to deal with, as you could easily end up as the common target for the hyped couple, especially when you turn up single manned.

Although controversial at least these photographs provoke strong feelings & thoughtful discussions. I agree with the poster below, from my professional work alcohol &/or drugs (esp speed and ice) play a big role in DV. They are great "enablers". I hope this spot light on DV helps raise awareness of DV issues - its the kids I really worry about.

There are times when you put the job and the camera down. This is one of those times. You call the police and try to at least take the kids to the other room. If you fear for your life then you flee.

You don't stand there and take pictures of innocent and naked children in what will become the worst day of their life.

A wannabe Donna Ferrato, and hardly the first time domestic violence has been captured on camera despite all the hype. Ferrato's made a career of it. http://donnaferrato.com/domestic-violence/

Her famous sequence of Garth and Lisa dates back to 1982.

Some interesting comments around the choice between intervention and documentation. Arguments for both sides, obviously. But the comments about the scene being staged have somehow evolved from "Was it staged?" to "It was staged", with no basis in fact. This is a documentary project from a freelance photojournalist.

Its long debated with such matters and issues. There are time and occasions where I can understand why a journalist would choose to stand on the sideline , say in war or disaster situations. But its also long held that for the part, its just pure decency for any individual who are able to effort a try to stop any harm to another individual. The photographer in this case choose a way which might be professionally sound, but humanely speaking , much questionable. Especially after the fact that there is likely chance for stopping the fury just at that. Fury but not violence. Would it effect less with the documentation, I doubt it, but surely the violence is more dramatic. So for the price of the drama we have somebodies getting beat up and another waste of police resource.

Is it worth it for somebody to get hurt ( literally and then some ) just so we can have some photo of something we dearly do not need but yet we all know about quite alright.

A photographer joins a young couple's life to document on "the stigma associated with being an ex-convict".
She enters their life. She interacts with both the couple and their kids.
One night things turn south and violence issues, violence directly witnessed by the children, now an intimate presence, together with their parents, in the photographer's life.
It is food for thought that she favored her camera over a direct intervention with the humans she bonded with, both the offending and the small innocent ones.
I know I wouldn't.
PK

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." ~ Edmund Burke

I don't understand those photographers who love to shoot dramas and want to get famous with it. I had intervened, trying to cool down the guy. Doing nothing and shooting the whole drama and releasing the images would make me a fu...ng a..hole! That's my opinion.

After 30+ years as a cop in California I believe that booze, or booze & drugs, is the common denominator in such disfunction & violence. Economics, education, race, age, sex, locale are minor components.

The photographer was making an effort at objectively documenting something that 'innocents' are usually exposed to through exaggerated fiction, or second-hand recounting.

Good insight into the miserable circus.

All was just an act

Sounds like she did abandon him so why does it need be be quoted as if it's an inaccurate description of his? You don't like that characterization? Well how about when a couple go out and the man choofs off leaving her there, is he treating her well?

Then we see top left photo she's pointing her arm out while addressing him rather sternly. I suppose that is her "telling" him, but when his communication is described that is a "rage".

She is telling him to get out of the house, it's not her house!

From there it turns to crap and his physical violence is inexcusable.

They're two 'Jerry Springer' types (see below) who we laugh at on Jerry Springer, so why should we take them seriously now?

Some caution about the originality of the story is advisable.
If it is for real - was Shane asked for consent to publish the pictures?

I wish there is a good ending shots! Happily ever after?

Here is data from the U.S. Department of Justice:

"Based on data from 1980 and 2008, males represented 77% of homicide victims and nearly 90% of offenders."

http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=2221

What gets lost in discussions of domestic violence is that men are not only more often perpetrators of all types of violence, but also most often the victims of violence as a whole. I imagine that if you were to look at statistics worldwide for violence, which would include war, of course, that the conclusion would be the same. Any man, who grows up pounded on the playground at school, whether he likes it or not, knows this to be true.

I think what is being expressed here, maybe not in the most elegant way, is frustration that the issue of violence in general is broken down this way. The qualifier "domestic" (artfully inserted) is often lost in discussions of violence, where women become victims of "violence", in general, more often than men, which of course is not true.

Great photos, and a nice job documenting domestic violence... but this is pretty much like photographing a train wreck.

It will not be popular to say this, but the root cause is pretty easy to spot. When women become attracted to, and even marry defective and violent men, there is never a good outcome in it for them. But there will always be people who make bad decisions in life.

The lesson is "don't let your daughter marry a man who just got out of prison."

a typical american family..living in freedom and democracy...and telling the world that a free society and democracy is all you need....to be.....really human...

These photos show how easy it is to get into a jail. Loosing temper for a minute ( sometimes for a justifiable reason) and you are in a jail.

Who is the victim here? I'm afraid it is the guy not the woman.